Number comparing means



May 27, 1941. .1. w. BRYCE NUMBER COMPARING MEANS l Original Fi1ed July 8, 1956 1'? Sheets-Sheet 1 May 27, 1941. J. w. BRYCE 21,243,474

NUMBER COMPARING MEANS Original Filed July 8, 1936 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gttovrneg 5 May 27, 1941. .1. w. BRYCE '2,243,474

- NUMBER COMPARING MEANS 17 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Juli] 8, 1936 .llmhmlllllll'lnIllul llllla l Gttomeg S May 27, 1941. J. w. BRYcE NUMBER COMPARING MEANS original Filed July a, 1936 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 27, 1941. J. w. BRYcE NUMBER COMPARING MEANS 17 Sheets-Sheet original Filed lJuly s, 193e May '27, 1941. J. w. BRYCE 2,243,474

NUMBER COMPARING MEANS Original Filed July 8, 1936 17 Sheets-Sheet S j@ Zim (PIII May 27, w41- J.'W. BRYcE NUMBER COMPARING MEANS originl Filed July. s, 193e 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 7' (tforneg 5 iat May 27, 1941. J. W. BRYCE v 2,243,474

NUMBER coMPAmNG MEAN; original Filed July 8, 19:56 17 sheets-sheet s (Ittorneg 5 Flam.

J. W. BRYCE NUMBER COMPARING MEANS May 27, 1 941.

1/7 sheets-sheet s Original Filed July 8, 1956 May 27, 1941. J. w. BRYCE NUMBER COMPARING MEANS Original Filed July 8, 1936 17 Sheets-Sheet 10 May 27, 1941. J. w. BRYcE 2,243,474 NUMBER COMPARING MEANS l original Filed July 8, 1936 17 sheets-sheet 11 F IGJS Gttomeg May 27, 1941. l J. w. BRYcE 2,243,474

NUMBER COMPARING MEANS Original Filved'July 8, 1936 17 Sheets-Sheet 1.?,

attorney 5 FIGJSd.

May 27, 194L J. W. BRYCE NUMBER coMPAmNqMEANs `17 sheets-sheet 15 Original Filed July 8, 1936 Gttorneg 5 May 27, 1941. J. w. BRYCE NUMBER COMPARING MEANS Original Filed July 8, 1936 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 14 May 27, 1941. J. w. BRYCE NUMBER COMPARING MEANS Original Filed July 8, 1956 17 Sheets-Sheet 15 1'? Sheets-Sheet 16 J. w. BRYCE www NUMBER COMPARING MEANS Original Filed July 8, 1936 May 27, 1941.

May 27, 194`1- J. w. BRYCE 2,243,474

NUMBER COMPARING MEANS Original Filed July 8. 1936 17 Sheets-Sheet 17 l nono Fl uno-3 ako-4 .F|G.16. GV 4 y l15C 15J Patented May 27, 1941 NUMBER COMPARIN G MEANS James W. Bryce, Glen Ridge, N. J., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application July 8, '1936,` Serial No.

89,570. Divided and this application December 7, 1937, Serial No. 178,455

9 Claims. (Cl. 235-61.7)

This invention relates to comparing means adaptable for use in calculating machines, statistical machines, accounting machines, recording machines and the like.

In machine accounting, calculating, and recording, occasions frequently arise when it is desired to compare number-s to ascertain whether or not one number compares with another number as to magnitude and to ascertain how it compares. For example, assume two numbers are to be compared. It may be desired to ascertain whether one number is greater than, equal to or less than the other number. Comparing mechanism of various types has been utilized for such purposes. In certain instances, it is desired to extend the above mentioned simple comparing operation wherein two numbers are compared to a more complicated comparison wherein one number is to be compared with a plurality of other numbers, which other numbers are of different degrees of magnitude and to ascertain which number of the plurality of numbers is the greatest that is contained in the comparison number. Obviously, this type qf comparison might be effected by utilizing a ,single comparing means, making it effective to first compare two numbers and then thereafter again compare one number with still another number and so on. This maybe describeed briey as successive comparison involving the use of. a single comparing means which is repeatedly operated. Such form of comparison is obviously time consuming lsince the various comparing operations have to be made in succession one after the other.

The present invention has for its general objects the provision of an improved comparing means and mechanism adapted to concurrently compare one number with a plurality of other numbers.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of novel comparing means adapted to compare an amount upon an entry or amount receiving means concurrently with each Further objects cf the present invention reside in a novel comparing means of electrical type adapted to effect concurrent comparison, by concurrently effecting comparing operations.

A further object -of the present invention resides in the provision of novel comparing means which have particular utility in dividing machines for automatically and by the operation of the machine comparing a dividend comparison portion with all possible multiples of the divisor to determine the highest going multiple of the divisor.

Further and other objects of thev present invention will be hereinafter set forth in the accompanying specification and claims and shown in the drawings which show by way of illustration a preferred embodiment and the principle thereof `.and what I now consider to be the best mode in` which I have contemplated of applying that principle. Other embodiments of the invention employing the same or equivalent principle may be used and' structural changes made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and Within the spirit of the appended claims.

The present application constitutes a division of my copending application, Serial No. 89,570, led July 8, 1936, for Dividing machine.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a. diagrammatic view showing the various units of the machine and the arrangement of driving mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the card handling and reading section of the machine;

Fig. 2a is a diagrammatic view. of a portion of the quotient place limiting switching mechanism;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a section of the accumulating section of the machine which shows the manner of mounting the accumulator plate assemblies in the housing and the manner .of drive for the accumulator mechanisms. The view is taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of Vthe arrows, see also Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of one of the accumulator plates, the section is taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 3, looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;'this view shows an accumulator gear element and also shows a sectional view of the associated readout mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of certain parts of the accumulator mechanism with the parts in normal position;

Fig. 7 is a similar view with the parts in operated position with the clutch engaged;

Fig. 8' is a view showing certain parts of Fig. 4 in operated position;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the readout mechanism, the section being taken substantially on v line 9 9 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the 12 showing the relation of the parts after thel accumulator wheel has passed from 9 through the zero position and ybefore restoration of the carrying mechanism;

Figs. 11a and 12a are details of latching mechanism for the transfer brush;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view showing the general now of entries and of calculated amounts through the machine and showing a typical dividing calculation as' performed by the machine;

Figs. 14a and 14h, taken together with Fig. 14h to the right of Fig 14a, show a timing diagram of certain parts of the machine;

Figs. 15a, 15b, 15e, 15d, 15e, 15f, 15g and 15h, taken together and arranged in the relation shown in Fig. 18, show the complete circuit diagram of the machine.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary portion of the circuit diagram showing the manner in which the cornparing operation is brought about and the manner in which the comparing devices effect'a selective control of entries.

The novel comparing means which forms the subject matter of the present application, will be described and explained in connection with a machine for effecting division wherein said comparing means nnds particular utility for expediting dividing operations. Before describing the division machine in detail and the comparing means utilised therein, a brief explanation will be given of the manner in which dividing operations are carried out by the machine.

Assume a dividend amount of 583 and a divisor amount of 11. 'I'hese amounts are entered into suitable receiving devices of the machine. Following the entry of such amounts,'multiples of the divisor are built up as follows: 11, 22, 23, 44, 55, 88, 7'1, 88 and 99. These amounts it will be understood, comprise ail of the digital multiples of the divisor amount of i1. Following this building up operation the machine takes 58 which is the first comparison portion of the dividend amount of 583 and by a concurrent comparing operation concurrently compares 58 with each of the foregoing available divisor multiples. Upon such concurrent comparison, the divisor multiple of 55 is ascertained by the comparing means to be the highest going divisor multiple that is contained in the comparison portion of the dividend. Thereafter a deducting operation is effected and 55 is deducted from 583, deduction being effected as follows:

concurrently, with the foregoing deducting operation the quotient amount of is entered into the quotient receiving device, Following the deduction operation the machine again compares the remaining dividend comparison portion which is 33 with all of the different digital multiples of the divisor by a concurrent comparing operation and by such comparing operation the machine ascertans that the 33 multiple goes evenly into the dividend comparison portion of 33. In short, the comparing means in this operation ascertains that one number of the series is equal to the comparison portion of the dividend or comparison number. The machine thenmakes another entry of 3 for the quotient in the proper quotient place and effects another deduction of the amount of 33.

The foregoing simple explanation shows generally the mode of operation of the machine and the manner of use of the comparison mechanism in such machine.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the machine is shown as driven by a driving motor which, through the usual pulley and belt connections and ratchet drive, drives the A. C.D. C. generator. Suitable worm gearing provides a drive for a vertical shaft I0, which by proper bevel gearing, drives two acy cumulator drive shafts I2. The calculating section of the machine comprises a divisor unit DE and a dividend and quotient unit DDQ. The divisor unit DR comprises five separate accumulators which will hereinafter be referred to as DR-I, DRf-I, DRf-I, DR-T and DRP-9. The suiilx in each case indicates a multiple of the divisorl Thus DR-I signifies that the ultimate amount in this accumulator is that of the divisor times '7. The DDQ unit comprises one large accumulator which is used for receiving both the entries of the dividend and quotient. from the accumulator drive shaft I2, are impulse distributors l5 and i5 and this shaft also drives a number of CC cams for operating cam contact devices, there being twenty of such cams and cam contact devices in the instant machine. Also driven from the accumulator drive shaft I2 are a number of emitters, l1, il, I9 and 29 and a supplemental emitter 2|. The relation of drive is such that emitters l1 to 2| inclusive. emit one set of impulses for each revolution of the accumulator drive shaft l2 and emitter Il emits two sets of impulses for each revolution of the accumulaior drive shaft.

Card handling, reading and punching section Suitable bevel gearing provides a' drive for the main drive shaft 22 of the card handling. reading and punching unit. This section of the machine and the manner of drive is substantially the same as in the corresponding section of the machine shown and described in the United States patents to Cunningham, No. 1,933,714 v and Oldenboom. No. 1,944,665 to which reference may behad for a fuller description of the general operation of the various units and the manner of drive.

In connection with this card handling. reading and punching unit it may be, however explained, that according to the instant machine the accumulating sections operate under a twenty point cycle. With this cycle of operation of the accumulating units there must be a delay in card feeding of four cycle points or index points so there is a slightly different timing of the picker cam 2l. There is one additional modification in the card reading unit over the construction shown in the patents referred to. In lieu of utilizins a single X brush there are a complete row of brushes Driven ing disc 82 (see Fig. 5).

at the advance sensing station. The card handling unit also includes a number of FC cams `for operating H2 cam contacts, In the instant lator is utilized. ln its main essentials, such ac- Vcumulators are of the plate type arranged for slidable insertion in the machine and as is customary with this type of accumulators, two denominational orders are provided upon a single plate. Constructions of this type are shown in United States Patents Nos. 1,909,549 and 1,914,285 to J. R. Peirce. 'I'he specific accumulator utilized in the instantmachine is substantially of the form shown and described in United States application to C. D. Lake,` Serial No. 445,554, led

October 11, 1935. s v

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4. the accumulator drive shafts I2 carry and drive gears 24 which are in constant rotation. Meshing with each gear 24 is a gear 25 (see Figs, 4 and 10) which is freely mounted on a stud 28 secured in a plate 21. The

plate 2l, carries two of the gears 28 to provide for two denominational orders of an accumulating unit. As shown in Fig. 3, each of the plates 2] is slidably mounted in the supporting frame sothat each plate can be withdrawn to de-mesh gears 28 ball bearing 28 carried on stud 28 (see also Fig.

). It will be understood with the counter plate in position the gear 2S and the ratchet 28 are iny constant'rotation. Also mounted on stud 28 and supported von the lball bearing 38 is a collar. which has rigidly secured thereto an accumulat- 'I'he collar 3| alsocarries a ratchet 83 which is mountedfor rotation upon the collar. The disc 82 carries a clutch pawl 84 which is pivoted upon the disc upon stud 85. VIt will be understood that the pawl 84 lies in the plane of the driving ratchet 28 and that the ratchet 33.1ies between the pawl 84 and its supporting disc 82. The ratchet 83 is provided with an opening 38 through which the spacing sleeve 81 (see Figs. 6, '7 and 8) and 4its supporting pin extend. A spring 28 is` connected to the upper end of the pawl 84 andhas connection with 'a pin 38 carried by the disc 82. This pin 88 also extends through a suitable opening ain the ratchet33. Secured on pawl 84 is a pin 48 which engages a camming surface 4| in ratchet-l3. 'I'he relationship .of the parts as shown in Fig. 6 where the pawl 84 is normally held out of engagement with the ratchet 28 is due to the action ofcaxnming surface 4| against the pin 48. If the ratchet 88 is permitted to move counterclockwise with respect to the pivot point of pawl 84 the camming surface 4i will move away from the pin 4l and permit the spring 88 of the pawl to rock the latter into engagement with the ratchet 28 so that the parts assume the relationship shown in Fig. '7. A

The accumulating disc 32 is normally held by a detent arm 42 (Fig. 8) which is normally urged in i thetension of the spring :s tends to cause the pin 4l to act against the camming surface and urge the ratchet 88 in a counterclockwise direction. The ratchet 88 is provided with teeth 88a which may be engaged by a lat'ch and extension 44, of a lever 48 (see Figs. 8 and 6).

If the extension 44 is raised out of engagement' with a tooth 83a, the ratchet may then rock counterclockwise to permit the pawl 34 to move from the position of Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 7, thereby engaging the constantly rotating driving ratchet 28. Thereupon the accumulating disc 32 will be advanced until the pawl is again disengaged from the driving ratchet. This disengagement is brought about by lowering the extension 44 into the path. of one of'therteeth 33a, .thus holding the ratchet 33 and causing its camming surface 4| tocam the pawl 34 out of engagementwith the driving ratchet.

The initial elevation .of the extension 44 to permit clutching of the accumulating disc is con-v trolled by a pair of accumulator 'magnets 45,

which upon energization attract an amature 48 (Fig. 4) pivoted at 41 so as to rock lever 48 clockwise. A second pair of magnets 49 is provided which also act upon the amature 48 to cause the rocking of the lever 48 in a counterclockwise direction. The lever 48 is provided with av togglev mechanism for maintaining the lever in either' position. This toggle comprises a`lever 58 pivoted at 5| to the plate 2l and comprising also a hairpin spring 52, one end of which is secured to the extremity of the lever 58 and the other end of which spring is secured to a pin 58 on lever 48.

Lever 58 also has a pin and slot connection with the lever 48-at 54. Thus as the arm 48 is rocked clockwise under-.the control of the magnets 45, the pin and slot connection will lcause the lever -III to rock clockwise, throwing the toggle SM2 across dead center to the position shown in Fig. 8, in vwhich position ,the parts will be held by the spring l52 until the lever 48 is rocked back to its 'initial position. This return rocking of the arm the member 88, the latter is'rocked counterclock-- wise and through its extension 5l (Fig. 8) will depress the arm 48 to cause disengagement of the clutching devices. It' wiu thus be seen that the accumulating disc 82 may be clutched to the driving ratchet when the magnets ,45 are energized and de-clutching will take place upon the energization of magnets 48 or under the mechanical action oi' either of the pins 58 upon gear 24.

' Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 the pawl 84 is 4provided with a tail 34a which lies in the path of pin Il which pin is carried by the ratchet 83 (see `also Fig. 10) The cooperation oi' tail 34a of the pawl with the pin 88 provides for the locking of the elements in their various positions, particularly under the iniluence of inertia effects when the device is operated at high speed. As seen in Fig. 7, the relativelocation of the pin and tailare as shown, and upon engagement of the4 pawl 34 with the driving ratchet 28a, the pin 59 will have shifted to a position where the pawl 34 is locked in position and cannot move out of engagement 

